Picks for stringed instruments

ABSTRACT

The invention is an improvement in picks for stringed instruments whereby the pick has multiple edges which displace the string of the instrument by multiple impacts for each stroke thereof. The multiple impacts result in a revibration of the string which increases the harmonic content of the produced sound and creates a sound which is unique and different from that of a standard pick. The sound has a higher treble, is clearer with higher overtones, and provides a higher pitch than picks of the prior art. The pick consists of a center element central between two outer elements with the center element slightly longer than the outer elements, thereby giving the pick multiple edges. This arrangement permits the pick to be equally functional in both the upstroke and the downstroke.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention lies within the field of musical instruments,specifically stringed instruments.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There is no known prior art which produces multiple and separatedisplacements of a string by the single stroke of a pick. Additionally,the prior art is void of any reference which produces the additionalharmonic content from a single stroke of a pick upon an individualstring.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a novel and unique pick which produces multipleharmonic nodes from the single stroke upon an individual string. It hasa bar shaped center portion with a picking tip on one end and foursegments at the opposite end. Said segments are perpendicular to theaxis of said portion and are affixed thereto in complimentary pairs, twoon each side of said portion. A user utilizes the segments for bothholding the pick by the fingers and for placing the center portion atthe preferred attitude for `picking` the instrument.

The outermost end of the center portion has multiple and symmetricaltiered edges. Said edges sequentially displace an instrument's string(s)to correspondingly produce the revibration and the additional harmoniccontent of the sounds.

It is the primary object of the invention to provide a pick for stringedinstruments which produces the revibration from a single stroke of thepick upon a string.

It is an object of the invention to provide a pick which accomplishesthe above in both the upstroke and the downstroke pick movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the center portion to illustrate thesymmetrical tiered edges.

FIGS. 3a and 3b is a sequential illustration of how the tiered edgesdisplace the

instrument's string sequentially.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the preferred embodiment is illustrated and described below, it isto be understood that variations will be apparent to those skilled inthe art without departing from the principles of the invention.Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited to the specific form asdescribed and illustrated but rather is to be limited only by a literalinterpretation of the claims appended herein.

The improved pick 1, as illustrated in FIG. 1, is of a non-standardconfiguration having a rectangular bar shaped center portion 2 which isattached to and extends radially outward from multiple segments 10,11which are penpendicular to the axis of said portion 2. As will be taughtbelow, said pick 1 is grasped by a user by placing said segments 10,11between his thumb and fingers such that said center portion 2 extendsradially outward therefrom in an attitude proper for striking a musicalstring.

Said center portion 2 consists of three elements, i.e., two identicalouter elements 4, and a thinner but similarly shaped center element 5positioned between and cooperating with said outer elements 4. Saidelements 4,5 are laminated together over a portion of their totallength, beginning with the end nearest said segments 10,11. For teachingpurposes, said lamination means is illustrated as broken lines 6 inFIG. 1. The lamination provides said center portion 2 with a solidstructural embodiment having the requisite strength and minimumflexibility to withstand the stress and strain experienced by suchpicks.

Starting approximately at the end of said laminations 6, the sides ofsaid elements 4,5 converge toward each other in a symmetricallytriangular manner and terminate at a rounded end, thereby forming apicking tip 7 of said invention. It is this unlaminated tip 7 whichimpacts the string initially in either the up or down stroke. Theflexibility of said tip 7 is altered to the preference of the user byuse of different materials and the various thicknesses of said elements4,5.

Said center element 5 protrudes approximately a fraction of an inchbeyond said outer elements 4, forming tiered edges 8 which aresymmetrical about the center portion 2, as illustrated by FIG. 2. It isthese tiered edges 8 which present the most novel and unique feature ofthe invention, that of producing revibration and multiple harmonic nodesfrom a single stroke upon a musical string.

FIGS. 3a,b graphically illustrates how said edges 8 produce multipleimpacts as taught below. In FIG. 3a, a musical instrument's string 9 isillustrated in cross section and just touching the edge 8 on an outerelement 4, as the pick 1 traverses upwardly. As with any pick of theprior art, said tip 7 and center portion 2 flexes downwardly due to theresistance of said string 9, as said string 9 is simultaneouslydisplaced upwardly and to the right. This cooperatingdisplacement/flexture continues until said string 9 is `released` fromthe edge 8. This `release` is typical of the prior art but for theinvention, "is not a true `release` in that the string 9 does not fallfree of any constraints but falls only to said center element 5 and "this is only the initial displacement of said string 9.

"At this instance, the string 9 is `released` only to the extent of thekinetic energy which was stored within the single said outer element 4."

FIG. 3b illustrates that said pick 1 is still in a continuous upwardtraversement and said string 9, instead of vibrating free of said tip 7,impacts upon the tiered edge 8 of said center element 5. It again isdisplaced upwardly and to the right until it again is released from thetiered edge 8.

"This second release allows the string 9 to fall totally free to set upa revibration within the string 9, complimenting that which wasinitially established above. This second release also was accomplishedby imparting the combined kinetic energy of both the center element 5and the remaining outer element 4. This enables the string 9 to have asecond tone quality which is distinguishably different from thatobtained from the first `release`."

The initial displacement of the string 9 produces the characteristicsound of the instrument; whereas, the second impact from center element5 shifts the phase of the characteristic sound (that which makes theinstrument unique) resulting in total revibration. The complexdisplacement is resolved into simple harmonic motion greatly enhancingthe characteristic sound of the instrument. This is taught herein as thephase shift and re-vibration of the string 9. The said phase shift isclearly due to the time between said string 9 release from the outerelement 4 and subsequent release from the inner element 5.

The time of said phase shift is obviously dependent upon the speed ofsaid pick 1, but is also controllable by both the thickness of saidouter element 4 and flexibility of both said elements 4,5. Thesevariables can be utilized in the manufacturing process to produce picks1 customized for individual users and/or the type of music to be played,and/or for the form of instrument used.

FIG. 3 also illustrates that said pick's symmetrical tiered edges 8 areequally effective on the pick's downstroke as well as the upstroke.

A pair of complimentary upper segments 10, one on each side of saidportion 2 at the end thereof opposite said tip 7, are affixedperpendicular to the axis of said portion 2. A pair of complimentarylower segments 11, approximately at the center of said portion 2, aresimilarly placed. Said segments 10,11 are permanently attached to saidportion 2. The segments 10,11 are utilized by a user for securelygripping the pick 1 between the thumb and forefinger such that thecenter portion 2 projects outwardly from said thumb at an attitudeapproximately perpendicular therefrom. This is accomplished by the userplacing his thumb between two such elements 10,11 with the side of theforefinger lying angularly across the opposite elements 10,11. The gripabove provides a very secure grip which is much less fatiguing thanprior art and equally useable in both the upstroke and downstroke play.

Said pick 1 can be manufactured of any materials which have therequisite strength and flexibility. Typical materials would be plastics,fiberglass, ivory and any combinations thereof, dependent only on theuser requirements. Said lamination means and attachment of said elements10,11 can be accomplished by adhesives, mechanical fasteners andwelding. For teaching purposes, the Figures illustrate only adhesivemeans.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim is;
 1. A pick for astringed musical instrument, comprising:three planar elements, eachhaving a predetermined flexibility; said planar elements being orientedparallel to one another and having at least one surface in contact withat least one of the other planar elements; said planar elements beingsecured together over a selected portion of said contact surface to forma body portion of the pick adapted to be held by the thumb andforefinger of a user, the remaining portion of the planar elementsforming picking tips; the picking tips of the top and bottom elementshaving a predetermined length and the picking tip of the middle elementhaving a slightly longer length than said predetermined length; andgripping means fixed to said body portion.
 2. A pick as in claim 1wherein said planar elements are secured by a lamination process.
 3. Apick as in claim 2 wherein said planar elements are secured over atleast half of said contact surface.
 4. A pick as in claim 1 wherein saidgripping means consists of a pair of upper segments and a pair of lowersegments fixed to the upper portion and the lower portion of said bodyportion, respectively, one segment of each of said pairs being fixed toopposite sides of said body portion.
 5. A pick as in claim 4 whereineach of said segments is substantially rectangular in shape andpositioned on said body portion approximately perpendicular to the axisof symmetry of said picking tips.
 6. A pick as in claim 1 wherein saidpicking tips have edges which are tapered, converging from said bodyportion to rounded tips.
 7. A pick as in claim 6 wherein the edges ofsaid planar elements forming said body portion and the edges of saidpicking tips are flush with the exception of said rounded tips.